Several years ago--maybe even 10?--my brother Paul was let go due to a downsizing at Motorolla in Austin. 17 years, medical insurance, and a retirement portfolio down the drain (Motorolla's stock in his 401K took a bit hit in the market at the time). My brother, was a manager in production management. He ended up going into the Home Inspection business (related to home warranties during real estates sales) and ended up doing well in it, even in this lousy economy. He works for himself. No boss, other than Uncle Sam who takes his "pound of flesh" in the form of various taxes. Of course it helped that his wife, a school psychologist/counselor, was/is employed full-time and he was on her medical insurance. Anyway, you find a qualified home inspector to mentor you, study-up for the exam, and between passing the exam and completing an experiencing requirement, you can get a license to go out on your own. You can even branch out into termite inspector as part of your home inspection repertoire or other sub-specialties. Just an idea . . . .

Of course you will be on my prayer list, especially for a job.

Jim

"non omnis moriar" . . . Horace, Odes

"Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" . . . Red Green Show

"They see well that all who speak are nothing, for they shall fadeaway with the sound of their words, but the Lord endures forever.". . . Thomas a Kempis, THE IMITATION OF CHRIST, Book 4, Chapter 14, No. 4

I'll add my poor prayers too. I usually work in IT and had to take a job driving for a limo company to pay the bills. I currently live in the Pacific NW but am looking for work in the upper South Carolina area. I don't know what your specialty is, but have you considered moving to another area?

I'll add you to out prayer list at church. I pray we both find something good but you first.

I have found temporary employment but it is a physically demanding job, and I am not confident I will be able to keep up with it. But I can't back out.

Because I have taken this position, I've had to ask my landlord to allow me to remain in my apartment through September, this after giving notice that I would have to leave at the end of my lease. I will not be able to vacate by the end of the lease. (And no, I have no place to move to, either.)